2016 Election

Ronald Reagan's 1980 announcement speech took voters seriously - it let us know his governing philosophy and where he proposed to lead the nation. So how do the 2016 speeches stack up? Today we'll consider how Hillary Clinton's announcement video rates as we introduce the Reaganometer.

Third-wave feminists face a dual determination in assessing Secretary Clinton's 2016 candidacy.  First, do they perceive that the American political system is so flawed that the only way to "win” is by sending in one of the elite’s own (HRC) who will inevitably disappoint on policy but nonetheless break barriers? And, second, can HRC convince third-wave feminists that while she is of the second-wave her policy views are not limited to liberal feminism alone.

If the Democrats coalesce early around Clinton and use the head start to frame the election in party and policy-centric terms; as a referendum on Republican Party control of all three branches of the federal government (a frame that will almost certainly be abetted by both the performance of the Republican-controlled 114^th Congress and the ongoing GOP nomination circus), then the danger to Democratic chances of giving Clinton a “free ride” to the November ballot should be minimal.

Last month I suggested Charlie Baker’s path from defeat to the Corner Office might be a model for Mitt Romney’s third run for the White House.

Today I’d like to suggest another path that the former Governor should seriously consider.  That’s the one taken by John Kerry.

Among the many reasons former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had to smile on election night 2014 was the ascension of Charlie Baker to Romney’s former office.  Those most interested in another Romney run will want to model Baker’s path from defeat to renomination to victory.